Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was denied, while service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The rating and effective date were not specified for the other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, low back disability, arthritis, and hypertension as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's active military service. Additionally, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acne vulgaris was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, migraine headaches, chin and head injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and residuals of a right hand 5th metacarpal fracture were denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's hypothyroidism, hiatal hernia, and migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. An ulnar nerve compression disorder was not related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied as there is no medical evidence or opinion to support the assertions of a migraine headache disability that had its onset in service or was due to multiple sclerosis.

The appeal is remanded for the acquisition of additional evidence and a DRO review.

The veteran's migraines are manifested by completely prostrating attacks three to four times per week productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and osteoarthritis of the knees to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's headache disability was denied a compensable rating prior to October 26, 2006, and a rating in excess of 30 percent on or after that date.

The Board remands the case for additional development, specifically to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension and to address issues related to headaches and psychiatric disability.

The veteran's headaches were not related to his military service, and the criteria for a compensable evaluation for a right forehead scar have not been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hernia, uterine fibroids, and headaches were denied. However, the claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to January 21, 2004.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling of a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Houston, Texas VARO.

The veteran's symptoms of fatigue, malaise, headaches and nausea, poor sleep, impaired concentration, tender lymph nodes, joint pain, and muscle pain are presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to chronic fatigue syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, right knee, and back disorders were denied. However, the claims for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The veteran's migraine headaches have been productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board reopens the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denies the claim for service connection for headaches.

The appeal is remanded for a VA neurological examination to assess the current nature and severity of the veteran's headaches.